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TO 



MASTERS OF VESSELS 



ON 



THE OBJECTS 



OF THE 



BOSTON SOCIETY 



FOR THE 



MORAL AND RELIGIOUS IMPROVEMENT 



OP 



SEAMEN. 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



BOSTON : 
PRINTED BY JOHN ELIOT, JUN. 

1812. 









This address was intended for publication, early in 
June. But the state of our commerce, in consequence 
of the declaration of war, forbidding the expectation 
of immediate success in our enterprise, the publication 
was deferred. The arrival however of several of our 
ships of war, giving us an opportunity for the distribu- 
tion of some tracts amongst sailors who are in employ, 
we respectfully solicit the notice and cooperation of 
our naval commanders. With this address, gentle- 
men, we submit a tract, which will probably, before 
long, be followed by others ; requesting, if it should 
meet with your approbation, that it should be given to 
sailors who are able and disposed to read it. 

October I, 1812. 



TO MASTERS OF VESSELS. 



GENTLEMEN, 

A SOCIETY has been formed in 
Boston for the religious and moral improvement 
of seamen. The importance of this object, if it 
be practicable, is acknowledged to be so great, as 
to demand and to repay every effort which can be 
made for its accomplishment. We hope for suc- 
cess, and we confidently expect it ; but in the in- 
dulgence of this expectation, we look to you as 
the most important instruments. Permit us then 
to exhibit to you the progress which we have 
made, to explain our purposes, and to solicit 
your interest and concurrence. 

During the last winter, the condition of our 
sailors arrested the attention of a few gentlemen, 
and became the stated subject of several conver- 
sations. The result was, a determination to form 
ourselves into a Society, for the selection, pur- 
chase and distribution of such books as would be 
adapted to engage their notice, to leave upon 
their minds the most useful impressions, and to 
advance their virtue and happiness. It was cur 
intention, at first, to have made no appeal, but to 
" the Boston Marine Society," to which we look- 
ed for peculiar patronage ; and to a few commer- 
cial gentlemen, who would of course be interest- 
ed in our design. In a conference with a com- 
mittee of the trustees of the Marine Society, 
which had been appointed at our request, we ex- 
plained our views, which received the most cor- 
dial approbation ; and having, through these gen- 



tlemen, addressed a communication to their Soci- 
ety, soliciting their assistance, it was voted unan- 
imously, " That the members of the Boston Ma- 
rine Society will cheerfully lend their aid in sup- 
port of the design of reforming the seamen ; and 
for that purpose appoint a standing committee of 
three members, to cooperate in procuring sub- 
scriptions, to defray the expences thereof. " 
Captain Chapman, Captain Barnard, and Captain 
Bradford were chosen a committee to communi- 
cate this vote, and to carry it into effect. 

Our prospects appeared now to be bright ; but 
our progress was very much retarded, by the dif- 
ficulty of making a selection of members. Not 
wishing to make our Society in any considerable 
degree, an object of attention, we were unwilling 
to make it very numerous ; but the more we con- 
templated the object, and the greater encourage- 
ment we received, we became more desirous of 
enlarging our number. On the suggestion of a 
few gentlemen, it was therefore finally determined 
to issue subscription papers, inviting all who ap- 
proved of our project to become members, on the 
condition of an annual subscription of two dol- 
lars. The first meeting of the subscribers was 
holden on the 11th of May, in the hall of the 
Branch Bank ; and the following constitution was 
read twice, and article by article was unanimous- 
ly accepted. 

Constitution of the Boston Socidtyfor the Relig- 
ious and Moral Improvement of Seamen. 
The advancement of the interests of our holy 
religion is the most important object, which can 
engage our attention ; and every benevolent 
mind must contemplate with high gratification, 
the measures which are adopted, and the exer- 
tions which are making, for the extension of the 



means of moral and religious improvement. But 
no association has yet been formed amongst us, 
the peculiar design of which is the religious in- 
struction of our mariners. The means and op- 
portunities of this large, and very respectable por- 
tion of our fellow citizens, it is well known, are 
very few ; and their temptations, to many vices, 
great and peculiar. The number likewise is not 
inconsiderable of those, who become sailors at a 
very tender age, and pass from the salutary re- 
straints of domestic discipline, into a society, in 
which they are exposed to early and confirmed 
depravity. But we have reason to believe that, 
by well directed efforts, many of them might be 
reclaimed from vices which have not yet become 
habitual, and many secured against the conta- 
gion of evil example. Actuated by these mo- 
tives, and encouraged by these hopes, we the 
subscribers agree to form ourselves into a Society 
to be called " The Boston Society for the Relig- 
ious and Moral Improvement of Seamen ; ,? and 
that our union may be more permanent, and 
our cooperation more effectual, we institute and 
establish the regulations which follow. 

1. There shall be a President, a Secretary, a 
Treasurer, and a Commitee to carry into effect 
the objects of the Society, all of which shall be 
chosen annually by ballot," 

2. In the absence of the President, at any 
meeting of the Society, a moderator shall be cho- 
sen to officiate on the occasion. 

3. Every subscriber to the amount of two dol- 
lars annually, shall be a member of the Society, 
and such others as shall be chosen by ballot. 

4. The Society shall meet annually on the 
second Monday in May, at which time the offi- 
cers of the year shall be chosen* 

A* 



5. The President may, at any time, call a meet- 
ing of the Society. 

6. The committee to carry into effect the ob- 
jects of the Society, shall be called the Executive 
Committee ; and shall be subject to any bye laws 
and regulations, which may hereafter be made. 

7. The President, Secretary, and Treasurer 
shall be, ex officio, members of the Executive 
Committee. 

8. At the annual meeting it shall be determin- 
ed by the Society, how much may be expended in 
the ensuing year by the Executive Committee. 

9. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to re- 
ceive donations, and to collect the sums subscrib- 
by the members. 

10. A committee shall be appointed at the an- 
imal meeting, to audit the accompts of the Treas- 
urer ; and at every succeeding annual meeting, 
the report of this committee shall be rendered to 
the Society. 

11. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record 
of the transactions of the Society, and shall give a 
week's publick notice, in one or more of the Bos- 
ton newspapers, of the time and place of meeting. 

12. Every stated meeting shall be opened with 
prayer, by the clerical members, in alphabetical 
order. 

THE OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1812, ARE, 

CAPT. GAMALIEL BRADFORD, President. 
KEV. JOSEPH TUCKERMAN, Secretary. 
RICHARD SULLIVAN, ESQ, Treasurer. 

CAPT. JONATHAN CHAPMAN, 

TRISTRAM BARNARD, I 

REV. "WILLIAM E. CHANN1NG, I Executive 

Joseph s. buckminster, r Committee. 

CHARLES LOWELL, I 

HORACE HOLLEY, J 

We now intend, in the first place, to distribute 
tracts of a religious and moral nature, for the use 



of seamen ; and 2dly, We earnestly wish to es- 
tablish a regular divine service on board of our 
merchant vessels. 

That all sailors cannot read, we well know ; and 
that some, who can, will not, is to be expected. 
But we are equally confident, that many will ; and 
we are persuaded that, of these, some at least may 
derive from books judiciously selected, the most 
essential advantages. Many sailors, we are hap- 
py to know, have their Bibles and books of pray- 
er ; and the leisure of the Sabbath appropriated to 
useful reading, in which they were countenanced 
by their officers, must, we think, gradually pro- 
duce the best effects on their moral sentiments, af- 
fections, acid conduct. Many of them, beneath 
a rough and weather beaten outside, carry inquis- 
itive minds, and hearts which beat high with the 
best affections of man. Give them the means and 
the opportunity of advancement, and they will shew 
themselves worthy of patronage ; they will be- 
come ornaments of society. 

Perhaps, gentlemen, there is not a class of men 
in society, who might more essentially aid the 
cause of religion and virtue, than yourselves. 
Your authority and influence. are very great, and 
a captain well principled, and determined to do 
all the good in his power to sailors, might not 
only preserve, but rescue many from degrada- 
tion and wretchedness. And what a source of 
delightful reflection must it be to his mind, when 
he retires from the sea, if he have been instru- 
mental of the best improvement, and perhaps of 
the salvation of some, who have been subject to 
his command ! How must it brighten the antici- 
pations of death ! And the reward of his exer- 
tions he will receive and enjoy, when the earth 
and the sea shall have passed away forever. 



8 

BuJ; the distribution of tracts is not our only 
object. We wish to establish a religious service 
in our vessels. We wish that there should be 
morning and evening prayers, when the weather 
will admit of it ; and in addition to prayers, that 
a discourse should be read to the sailors on the 
Sabbath. This is a very important part of our 
design, and one to which we most respectfully re- 
quest your peculiar notice. 

We are much gratified with the permission to 
publish a letter, which was addressed to one of us, 
soon after our project was exposed to the Marine 
Society. It is from a captain who has been 
for some time retired from service, and whose 
example we hope will not be unavailing. 

" Dear Sir, 

" I was much pleased on seeing, 
a few days ago, a communication from you, ad- 
dressed to the President of the Marine Society, 
on the subject of improving the morals of Amer- 
ican seamen. Every intelligent mind is ready to 
acknowledge, that they are a very useful and me- 
ritorious race of men ; and the government of our 
country has, in some respect, taken them under 
their patronage. Some laws have been passed to 
prevent oppression, or severity in their own offi- 
cers ; and much has been said about relieving 
them from an unjust and cruel restraint and de- 
tention in foreign service. These attempts, how- 
ever praiseworthy and desirable, fall far short of 
the project you suggest, for promoting the happi- 
ness of this class of our fellow mortals. The 
hardships of a sea- faring life, the perils, privations 
and severe sufferings, which men of this profes- 
sion are liable to, and which they always in a 
greater or less degree experience, are pretty gen- 
erally known. But these physical evils are &r 



from being what calls loudest for the commisera- 
tion of a benevolent mind. With respect to the 
want of moral, or rather pious feelings, and all 
those comforts and that happiness which alone re- 
sult from the pure principles of the christian reli- 
gion, they are the most wretched of men. To 
relieve them from this wretchedness, to lead them 
back to scenes of moral distress to the pleasures 
of piety and religion, would be an undertaking, 
in which every real christian would delight. 

" The task may be difficult, but I cannot think 
it impracticable. There is nothing in the nature of 
the profession to exclude religious thoughts or re- 
ligious exercises ; to alienate, or divert the mind 
from God. On the contrary, they, who Xi see his 
wonders in the deep," should readily unite to cel- 
ebrate his praise; and I can myself with pleasure 
bear testimony, to the ready acquiescence, on the 
part of sailors, in religious services on board a 
ship. Whilst I was, as our phrase is, before the 
mast, I belonged once on board a French, and 
once on board a Dutch vessel. Here I had an 
opportunity of learning the custom of these na- 
tions, of performing prayers night and morning in 
their vessels at sea. I found the same custom 
prevailed with all other nations, except the En- 
glish and Americans ; and the practice appeared to 
me to be so rational, that I felt a sort of shame and 
mortification for my own countrymen, for their 
neglect of these obvious duties ; and I determin- 
ed, should I ever arrive at the command of a ship, 
that I would introduce the practice of morning 
and evening prayers. I am sorry to say, howev- 
er, that it was late before I fulfilled this determi- 
nation. A want of due firmness, a fear of incur- 
ring the ridicule of false sanctity, or the jests of 
my fellow seamen and associates, were the " lions 



10 

in the way ;" and it was long before I had cou- 
rage to face them. It was only the last ten years 
of my voyages that I performed this duty ; and 
I have the satisfaction to say, that it was always 
met with a serious attention by the sailors, whom 
I have commanded. 

" From this experience, I have little doubt 
that, if religious exercises could be made gene- 
ral on board our vessels, and some measures con- 
certed to furnish sailors, (or they might easily be 
led to furnish themselves, ) with proper books, it 
would be followed by the desired effect, and 
might induce them to attend divine service on 
shore. It is really melancholly to follow these 
unhappy beings, through the progress of but a 
few days in port. All the hard earnings of a te- 
dious, uncomfortable and perilous voyage, are 
suddenly, foolishly, and wickedly wasted, in the 
most degrading scenes of tumult, riot, intempe- 
rance^ and beastly indulgences. The poor fel- 
lows are sick of the scene themselves, and are 
generally glad to get off to sea again. But could 
they be brought to pass their time rationally on 
shore, they might have some pleasure here, to 
recompence them for their troubles on the rough- 
er element. A habit of attending divine service 
would, I think, very much contribute to this end, 
as it would draw them from the haunts of vice, 
in which they usually pass their Sabbaths, and 
give them a taste for new pleasures, which they 
cannot fail to find superior to their old ones." 
I am Sir, with respect, 

Your obedient servant, 



Many masters will probably feel a diffidence in 
commencing religious services ; but let them be 
commenced, and thev will soon become easv. 



11 

A captain who is exemplary as a christian, and 
who encourges piety and virtue in his sailors, will 
be loved by all whose religious affections he grat- 
ifies, and respected even by the most unprincipled. 

The benevolent designs of the Humane Socie- 
ty have obtained universal approbation, and very 
extensive patronage ; and we believe that almost 
every 'seaman, when he enters our harbour, regards 
with interest and gratitude, the huts which have 
been erected, and stored with provisions, and with 
implements for a fire, for the use of ship-wrecked 
mariners. But we flatter ourselves, gentlemen, 
that our objects will appear to you, as they do to 
us, to be not less interesting and important. It 
will be obvious that we have not, and that we 
cannot have, any selfish or party prejudices or pas- 
sions to indulge in this charity. As far as human 
virtue can be disinterested, we have therefore a 
claim on your confidence and cooperation ; and 
we feel a reliance that our expectations will not 
be disappointed. 

We indulge the hope, should our funds prove 
to be adequate, of establishing a school for the 
instruction of lads for the sea ;— -or at least, of as- 
sisting in their education. We may enable some 
to learn navigation, who have not the means of 
being taught ; and at the same time of acquiring 
the knowledge of principles and conduct, which 
will render them honest, useful, and respectable. 

Our Society is already large, and contains many 
of the most distinguished commercial gentlemen 
of Boston. We may therefore reasonably hope, 
by our recommendation, to aid those who prove 
worthy of patronage. We shall ever be happy, as 
far as our influence extends, to encourage and as- 
sist the young, who have finished their apprentice- 
ship with a good reputation, and who need any 



12 

support which we can give them* Whatever in- 
deed can contribute to the advancement of the 
best interests of seamen, will obtain our attention ; 
and, in proportion to our means, will command 
our vigorous efforts. 

We invite you therefore, gentlemen, to become 
members of our Society, and to interest yourselves 
in its objects. With your aid, we may do much ; 
but without it, our endeavours must, in a great 
measure, be fruitless. Let there be daily prayers, 
when circumstances admit of it, and a service 
upon the Sabbath in a few vessels, and we are per- 
suaded that the example will be imitated. A few 
masters, independent enough to act only from a 
sense of duty, and not to be afraid either of the 
ridicule or the censure of the frivolous or the 
base, might effect an extensive and most desirable 
reformation ; and would deservedly be acknowl- 
edged to be amongst the best benefactors of their 
country and age. 



JtJNE, 1812. 



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